Project Information

Bid Title

(RFP) Federal Government Relations Consulting Services Addendum 1

Issuing Agency

JEA

Location

Florida

Published Date

Apr 28, 2026

Closing Date

May 13, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

1412159246

Original Source

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Bid Inquiries

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

1412159246 (RFP) Federal Government Relations Consulting Services

The purpose of this solicitation for Federal
Government Relations Consulting Services (this "Solicitation")
is to evaluate and select a vendor to provide Federal Government Relations
Consulting Services as described in this Solicitation (the
"Work") and to determine the best method for JEA to procure the Work
with regards to pricing, quality, design, and workmanship. JEA intends to engage a
consulting firm (the "Company") with an office located in the
Washington, D.C. area to represent JEA's interests with regard to legislative,
regulatory, and executive branch policies and issues at the federal level. These areas include, but may
not be limited to, regulation, fiscal policy (taxation and financial
assistance), environmental protection, economic development, utility industry
structure, funding and grant opportunities and such other issues that may
affect electric, water and wastewater utilities over time. There will also be
an emphasis on representation of municipal utility issues.

USE THIS LINK TO ACCESS THE SOLICITATION VIA ZYCUS

https://zsn.zycus.com/guest/genericRegister/JEA074/iSource/1047110/

Solicitation Due Date: May 13, 2026

1412159246 Solicitation - Federal Gov Relations

1412159246 Addendum 1

Attachment Preview

SOLICITATION

FOR PARTICIPATION IN

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CONSULTING SERVICES

FOR

JACKSONVILLE, FL

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 1412159246

RESPONSES ARE DUE ON MAY 13, 2026, BY 12:00 PM ET

ALL RESPONSES SHALL BE SUBMITTED THROUGH JEA’S E-PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACT

MANAGEMENT PORTAL WHICH IS PROVIDED BY ZYCUS SUPPLIER NETWORK WHICH CAN BE

ACCESSED AT HTTPS://ZSN.ZYCUS.COM/GUEST. INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO LOGIN TO ZYCUS

IS PROVIDED BELOW IN THIS SOLICITATION. LATE RESPONSES MAY BE REJECTED.

JEA WILL PUBLICLY OPEN ALL RESPONSES RECEIVED FROM QUALIFIED RESPONDENTS ON

THE DUE DATE, VIA MICROSOFT TEAMS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE JEA BUYER AT:

(ELAINE SELDERS AT SELDEL@JEA.COM)

1.1) Scope of Work

The purpose of this solicitation for Federal Government Relations Consulting Services (this "Solicitation") is to

evaluate and select a vendor to provide Federal Government Relations Consulting Services as described in this

Solicitation (the "Work") and to determine the best method for JEA to procure the Work with regards to pricing,

quality, design, and workmanship.

JEA intends to engage a consulting firm (the "Company") with an office located in the Washington, D.C. area to

represent JEA's interests with regard to legislative, regulatory, and executive branch policies and issues at the federal

level. These areas include, but may not be limited to, regulation, fiscal policy (taxation and financial assistance),

environmental protection, economic development, utility industry structure, funding and grant opportunities and such

other issues that may affect electric, water and wastewater utilities over time. There will also be an emphasis on

representation of municipal utility issues.

A more detailed description of the Work is provided in the Technical Specifications included as an Exhibit to this

Solicitation.

Capitalized terms used in this Solicitation without definition shall have the definitions given to them in Section 2 of

this Solicitation.

1.2) Background

JEA owns, operates and manages the electric system established by the City of Jacksonville, Florida since 1895. In

June 1997, JEA also assumed operation of the water and sewer system previously managed by the City. JEA is located

in Jacksonville, Florida, where we proudly serve an estimated 541,076 electric, 407,161 water, 316,441 sewer and

30,460 reuse water customers. JEA is Florida's largest community owned utility and the eighth largest municipal in the

United States.

1.3) Invitation - Submitting a Response

Respondents that meet the Minimum Qualification stated herein are invited to submit a Response to this Solicitation to

perform the Work. A complete copy of this Solicitation, the Technical Specifications, forms and all other documents

referenced in this Solicitation are on JEA’s E-Procurement and Contract Management Portal which is provided by

Zycus Supplier Network which can be accessed at https://zsn.zycus.com/guest/genericRegister/JEA074. Instructions

on how to login to Zycus is provided below in this Solicitation.

All Responses are due at the time indicated on the title page of this Solicitation. Section 1 of this Solicitation are the

instructions for submitting a Response for this Solicitation. Section 2 of this Solicitation contain the definitions and

commercial contract terms associated with this procurement.

A Contract will be presented to the Respondent awarded this Work and the Contract will incorporate by reference this

entire Solicitation and all associated Addenda. A sample of the JEA Contract can be found on jea.com.

All documentation submitted with a Response must reference the Solicitation Title and Number stated herein. All

Responses must be made on the appropriate forms and formats as specified by this Solicitation and uploaded to JEA’s

procurement platform.

All Responses should be delivered electronically to JEA via the Zycus platform. An automated, detailed auditing

system provides sealed Response integrity. Responses remain sealed on the platform until the Close Date & Time

(Due Date & Time).

A Respondent shall be solely responsible for timely delivery of its Response to the Zycus Supplier

Network. Respondents are strongly encouraged to acquire log in credentials early as possible. Additionally

Respondents are encouraged to submit Responses early to ensure uploading process goes smoothly. If Respondent is

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not able to submit its Response via Zycus, then email the Buyer for assistance and if the Response cannot be

uploaded into Zycus email it to the JEA Buyer identified on the cover page of this Solicitation.

Responses are due by the time and on the date stated on the cover page of this Solicitation. LATE RESPONSES

MAY BE REJECTED.

1.4) Zycus Instructions

I. How to Log Into Zycus

A. New Users – Zycus

1. New Users will need to register to login. Registration will require Company name, address, phone, contact, title,

phone and email address. Also, it is recommended users use Google Chrome to access Zycus.

2. Note if the company is already doing business with JEA, you may find the company is already registered in Zycus.

To find out if you are registered, try entering your email address in the New User Registration screen. If you receive a

message stating “Email ID already registered”, log in as an Existing User Log-in”. If you don’t know your password,

enter your email address and click on “Forgot Password”.

B. Existing Users or New Users with Previously Registered Emails

1. Once the user has a login on the sourcing platform select “Existing User Log-in”, the user may navigate to the

solicitation by selecting the icon for the applicable solicitation.

II. How to Submit a Response Using Zycus

1. Once logged in, users will see all JEA Sourcing Events, then select the applicable event.

2. Once in the Sourcing Event. The Sourcing Event has prompts for actions required to respond to the solicitation.

3. For the user to proceed to submit a Response to JEA using Zycus, the user will be required to provide its acceptance

of the Zycus iSource Terms & Conditions associated with the work. Such Terms and Conditions may cover non-

disclosure, safety, cyber security, Invitation for Bid contract terms, etc.

4. Once all terms are accepted, additional Solicitation information will be available for viewing and submitting a

Response by selecting “Confirm Participation”. JEA will then have a record indicating the company intends to submit

a Response.

5. A user then can respond to each section of the Solicitation, once completed with each section, select “Save”. Note

each section has a red, yellow, green light code. Items will turn green once completed. Yellow and red lights mean

there is additional action required. Users may also note under each tab, there are multiple questions to respond to,

scroll down the list to ensure all questions are answered.

6. In most Solicitations, JEA will provide Technical Specifications, pricing tables in Excel which the user will need to

download. Additionally, Excel pricing tables may need to be uploaded once completed as part of the Response. Users

can download the required attachments by selecting the “Buyers Attachments” icon.

7. Once the required forms are uploaded and saved, the section light will turn green. Once all sections are completed

and green lighted, the User may select “Submit Response”.

8. Once the user selects “Submit Response”, the user will receive a “Success” pop-up when submitted.

9. Once submitted users may recall and modify submitted documentation and submit information until the Response

Due Date and Time.

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10. Zycus does not automatically transfer a pricing submission from the qualifying round into live auction setting for

award consideration. Each user shall manually re-submit its qualifying Response into the live auction environment for

consideration of award.

1.5) Questions

All Questions must be submitted in writing to the JEA Buyer listed herein at least five business days prior to the

opening date. Questions received within five business days prior to the opening date may not be answered.

1.6) Alternate Provisions and Conditions

Responses that contain provisions that are contrary to requirements found on this Solicitation, including, but not

limited to, the Contract terms and conditions contained in Section 2 of this Solicitation, and any requirements found in

the Technical Specifications attached as an exhibit or attachment to this Solicitation, will be reviewed but may not be

accepted by JEA. However, as this is an ITN, JEA reserves the right to negotiate the best terms and conditions if

determined to be in the best interests of JEA, and negotiate different terms and related price adjustments if JEA

determines that it provides the best value to JEA.

1.7) Minimum Qualifications

Respondent must meet the following Minimum Qualifications to be considered eligible to have its Response evaluated

by JEA. Respondent must complete and submit the Minimum Qualification Form provided in this Solicitation.

Respondents that are working or have worked for JEA in the past 2 years involving similar work must submit JEA as a

reference. JEA reserves the right to ask for additional back up documentation or additional reference projects to

confirm the Respondent meets the requirements stated below.

JEA may reject Responses from Respondents not meeting all of the following Minimum Qualifications:

• Respondent must have an office located in the Washington, D.C. area. Enter addresses on Appendix B –

Minimum Qualifications Form.

• Respondent must designate the Company’s Lead Consultant who will serve as the primary representative for JEA.

The lead consultant must have municipal utility experience in the following areas: water, wastewater and

electricity. The Company shall provide two account references, where the Lead Consultant being proposed for

JEA’s contract was also the lead consultant on the referenced work. References should cover work within the last

five years ending March 31, 2026. Enter references on Appendix B – Minimum Qualifications Form.

o A similar account reference is defined as federal government relations consulting services as described in the

Technical Specifications. The references must display experience in municipal utility water, wastewater and

electricity consulting. The references must include the reference Company name, contact person, phone

number, email address and the scope of service details. JEA may contact and verify the supplied references.

1.8) Number of Contracts to be Awarded

JEA intends to Award up to two (2) Contracts for the Work. JEA reserves the right to Award more than one Contract

based on certain groupings of the Work items, or JEA may exclude certain Work items, if JEA determines that it is in

its best interest.

1.9) Insurance Requirements

Prior to JEA issuing a Purchase Order to the Company to begin the Work, the Company shall submit a certificate of

insurance (COI) that is in compliance with amounts and requirements as indicated in this Solicitation. Note that the

COI shall specifically indicate JEA as additional insured on all required insurance except Worker's Compensation and

Professional Liability (if applicable). Furthermore, waiver of subrogation must be provided for all required insurance

in favor of JEA, including its board members, officers, employees, agents, successors, and assigns.

1.10) Optional Use of Small and Emerging Business Program

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It is at the Respondent's option as to whether it chooses to subcontract with a JSEB firm. JEA encourages the use of

JSEB firms; however, the Respondent is not required to utilize a JSEB to be awarded a Contract under this

Solicitation.

For more information regarding the JSEB program, please contact Bill Hickey, JEA, Manager of Supplier Diversity

Programs and Procurement Services, hickwj@jea.com or jsebprogram@jea.com.

1.11) Basis of Award - Highest Evaluated

JEA will use the Selection Criteria listed below to evaluate the Responses. JEA may make its Award decision based

solely upon the information submitted in the Responses. JEA may also choose to have one or more Respondent make

presentations to representatives of JEA. It is always in the best interest of the Respondent to provide informative,

concise, well-organized technical and business information relative to the Work, in both the initial submittal of its

Response and in any subsequent submittals.

Please note, JEA may reject Responses that request material changes or take exception to JEA commercial terms and

conditions.

Responses will be scored and ranked by a committee of evaluators. Each evaluator will individually score the

Responses using the evaluation matrix attached to this Solicitation. Using these scores, each evaluator will rank the

Responses using "1" for the Response receiving the highest number of points from the matrix. Responses with an

equal number of points will receive the same numerical ranking. JEA will total the numerical rankings for each

Response and consider the Response with the lowest total to be the most highly qualified Response. Any tie will be

broken using the total of the matrix scores of all evaluators. If a tie persists, the tie will be broken in accordance with

the JEA Procurement Operational Procedures.

1.12) Evaluation Methodology

JEA Procurement will distribute a copy of each Response to each member of the Selection Committee, and the

members of the Selection Committee will separately and independently evaluate and rank the Responses using the

"Selection Criteria" as stated below in this Solicitation.

Responses will be scored and ranked by a committee of evaluators. Each evaluator will individually score the

Responses using an evaluation matrix. Using these scores, each evaluator will rank in order the Responses starting

with "1" for the Response receiving the highest number of points from the matrix and increasing in point value

respective to the order of rank. JEA will total the numerical rankings for each Response and consider the Response

with the lowest total to be the most highly qualified Response.

The Respondent with the best overall rank for which JEA has determined to be in its best interest, will be submitted to

the CPO for approval as the awardee for this work. Once approved, the CPO will then present an Award to the JEA

Awards Committee for approval if applicable per JEA Procurement Code.

The rank and short-list, if applicable, will be announced in a public meeting. The date and time of the public meeting

will be posted on jea.com.

Short-list Process (Optional)

JEA may select Respondents (the "Short-list") with which to commence presentations. A selection committee

(hereinafter referred to as the "Selection Committee"), will be appointed by the Chief Procurement Officer (the

"CPO"), or their designee, to review, evaluate, and rank each Response submitted.

JEA will use the ranking to develop the Short-list of companies in which to proceed with presentations if applicable.

JEA reserves the right to recommend an Award based on the Selection Committee's initial evaluation of the Responses

if JEA deems the Responses demonstrate adequate competition, compliance, and responsiveness to this Solicitation. If

JEA determines the previously stated criteria have not been met, JEA will finalize the Short-list and proceed with

presentations.

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541611Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
• NAICS 541618Other Management Consulting Services
• NAICS 541820Public Relations Agencies

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